View full sizeRutgers class of 2014 offeree, Jimmy HoganPhoto taken by the Hogan family, used with permission

Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) class of 2014 defensive end, Jimmy Hogan, runs a
4.6-second 40-yard dash while standing 6-5 and weighing 230 pounds. The Scarlet
Knights offered the superb athlete earlier this year for that reason, and the
interest has been reciprocated. Hogan, at this early point in his recruitment,
is decisive in his feelings for New Jersey's state school.

"Rutgers is definitely my No. 1, right now," said Hogan. "I like
Rutgers a lot, especially now that they are going to the Big Ten. That makes it
even more special. It's just the intensity and the fact that they will be playing
against all the biggest schools."

Since offering Hogan an athletic scholarship after a
standout performance at Rutgers' Big Man Academy this past June, the Scarlet Knights
have continued to keep in touch with the elongated edge defender.

"I talk to coach Dave Cohen and Jim Panagos all the time,"
said Hogan. "Personally, I love both of them, and feel they are both really
funny and easy to talk to. We talk recruiting stuff and about what I'd want to
major in."

Hogan is looking to attend a college where he can take up criminal
justice and set himself up for a future in law enforcement. But that's not all
that's important to him.

"I'm looking to go somewhere that I'll have fun going, and a
place where the coaches are really nice to the players," he said.

Besides Rutgers, Hogan holds an offer from UMass. However,
additional schools are attempting to enter the conversation. Hogan has been
hearing a lot from Michigan State, Penn State and Boston College. And he
received a visit at his high school from a Michigan State assistant, recently.

"He couldn't really talk to me but I was given a card and
told to take a look at a website to learn more about the school," he said.

Hogan took an unofficial visit to Rutgers last weekend along
with many of the other top juniors in the northeast. While there, he got the
opportunity to spend time with a couple good friends.

"I got to hang out with my friend Antoine White (a Rutgers
offeree from Millville High)," Hogan said. "I met him back in June. He's actually
become a pretty good friend of mine. And also, Quenton Nelson has become a
pretty good friend, too.

"Antoine and I talk about playing together at Rutgers, a
lot," said the Ramapo star. "We are trying to go to the same school."

Besides being able to spend time with his friends, Hogan was
impressed with Rutgers' academic approach as well as their attention
to life after football.

"I loved the visit," Hogan said. "I thought they really
showed us about what college life is about. We also learned that Rutgers is in
the top 10 percentile of player graduation rate, and how players have success
after college and not just in the NFL, but also in life."

Hogan found the life of a Rutgers student-athlete to be all
he desires from a college. Although he will likely have the opportunity to
attend other big schools, it's Rutgers' specific attention to the players they recruit
that attracts Hogan to the school.

"If you went to Alabama, you would be just another guy,"
said Hogan. "But if you go to Rutgers, you being there actually means something
to them. You can just tell that."

Hogan plans to not play any other sports this offseason and
concentrate on football. He is placing major emphasis on getting stronger and
further improving his athleticism. A trek to Rutgers this summer is also likely
in the cards.

"I intend to go back to Rutgers camp, maybe the Penn State
camp and probably the Boston College one next summer," he mentioned.

Hogan has been told that he projects to either the
linebacker or defensive end positions in college, but he also has a soft spot
for the tight end position. He intends to take unofficial visits to both UMass
and Rutgers, again, in the near future.

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